07.29.2015
The VBR/EPR Business Conditions Survey for the second quarter of 2015/third quarter of 2015 has been released. For the fifth quarter in a row most responses to the overall question about the state’s business climate outlook were neutral to mildly optimistic. More than half of respondents (59 percent) shared negative outlooks specifically with ease of hiring for available positions. For the first time both the accommodations/food services and construction sectors had the most optimistic outlooks on the general business climate (75 percent respectively). For this reporting period the diffusion index shows a slight upturn in optimism from Q1 2015 to Q2 2015 indicating that Vermont CEOs continue to feel neutral to mildly optimistic about the business climate for the coming three months.
The Business Conditions Survey is conducted in partnership between the Vermont Business Roundtable and Economic & Policy Resources. The nine question survey of the 97 members of the Vermont Business Roundtable captures a glimpse of how Vermont business leaders see the state economy. The survey asks business leaders how their businesses have fared in the recent past and how they view the future. Sentiments regarding the current and expected business climate and the expected impact on hiring and investing decisions are also surveyed. Included in the standard survey is a question asking roundtable members for opinions on a current debate in public policy. Along with providing a snapshot of the Vermont business climate the survey allows Vermonters to see how these markers change over time.
Watch EPR\'s Amanda Wassel discuss the survey results on Channel 17: https://www.cctv.org/watch-tv/programs/vermont-business-roundtableepr-business-conditions-survey-2nd-quarter-results-2015
Read more on Vermont Digger: http://vtdigger.org/2015/08/04/vermont-business-roundtable-and-economic-policy-resources-second-quarter-2015-business-conditions-survey-results-show-neutral-outlook/
The Press Release is available as a PDF below.
